August fun!

August is coming to an end - so I thought I'd loop all our fun August happenings together.

As of August 12th, I have been unable to travel more than 50 miles away from my hospital - so on the 13th, Mulu & Brian went to a Brewer game and Aaliyah and I had a girls night out. I found a shop that would paint her little fingers for $4 - Aaliyah loved every minute. She is definitely a girly-girl.

This is Aaliyah showing off the paint color she picked - the pinkest pink they had :^)




Showing them off after they were done - the nice woman even put some sparkles on over the pink polish. Aaliyah thought they were great - but did have the paint picked off of three of her fingers off by the time we got to the restaurant (about 3 blocks away).
"hanging out" at the botanical gardens near our house - we had a blast just walking and looking at the flowers and little pathways.

Another picture of Aaliyah at her dance class that she loves so much.
Mulu & Aaliyah got to go meet and play with 7 four week old puppies. This is right up at the top of what Mulu thinks is the coolest - romping around with other "little ones" that have as much energy as him!
Aaliyah - not so much. She likes the idea of dogs/puppies and likes to look at photos of them, but is very apprehensive when they get close. I couldn't believe she got into the pen with them - you can see the forced smile on her face (trying to convince herself "I'm having fun, I'm having fun") and she wouldn't put her blankie down for a second!

A slew of the puppies chasing Mulu - fun for all!
One of the puppies "playing" with Aaliyah - her face says it all!Dancing in the streets at a friend's wedding - they hired a New Orleans band that we followed. Every time we stopped to dance, Aaliyah was out of her stroller and joining in.

Summer T-ball

Mulu just finished up his summer t-ball league - which was fabulously fun for him and all who came to watch! Witnessing 4 & 5 year olds trying to negotiate a t-ball game is incredibly entertaining and should be considered a mandatory event for anyone down in the dumps.



There were no outs - everyone on the batting team each got one hit and ran one base - with everyone running home after the final batter. And the outfielders all through the ball to 1st base - no matter if the runner was there already or not.



It was pretty amazing to see how much the kids improved by the end of the 6 weeks. The last week they all new which way to run after hitting the ball!

batter up!

Wow - what a hit! He was very proud of this one - he ran all the way to first looking at us and smiling. You can see that the runner on third and the third baseman are thoroughly engaged in the happenings. :^)

Mulu running into home getting a high 5 from his coach.

funny, funny guy . . .

Quick funny story for you.

On my birthday we all sat down for a great breakfast my wonderful husband had made for us. As we were visiting, Brian observed "Mulu, we need to get your haircut, you're starting to look like a hippy." A little exaggerated, but I do agree that its time for a trim.


About 20 minutes later Mulu looked across the table at me and says "Mama, your hair is getting big, you need a haircut, your starting to look like a hippo"


being 37 weeks preggers - it was probably more true than I would like to admit.

Making room for baby . . .

As many of you know I am preggers with a due date of September 9 (yes, that is only 4 weeks away - eeeeek). One of the preparations we've done while getting ready for Johnson kiddo #3 (or as we've affectionately referred to him/her as "Ziggy the zygote") Mulu & Aaliyah now share a bedroom!



We got a great deal on a slightly used bunk bed set, which was stored for a bit in the garage so the kids new something was up - but not until "THE MOVE" did they fully understand their co-habitation situation. So with the help of both sets of grandparents (Thanks so much guys) we combined sleeping areas, dressers, toys, etc into one room successfully and Mulu & Aaliyah have done just fine.



I will have to admit bedtime takes a bit longer than it has been, so lets hope we are over that phase before Mulu starts Kindergarten (which is also 4 weeks away - eeeek again).

Aaliyah's last night in her bedroom . . .

Mulu's last night in his bed & with a room to himself . . .

(this is one of his new poses he does when people are taking photos - he's got quite a repertoire, you know)

Daddy reading books for the 1st time in their new room!

need I say more?

Mulu & Aaliyah all snuggled up ready for the 1st night in their new beds & bedroom!! How exciting!

Aaliyah's 1st dance class

We are taking a "parent & me" dance class (which of coarse Aaliyah calls her Cinderella dance class). One week down - and I can definately say I've been more agile at other points in my life
very excited to go
and an added bonus - Aaliyah after she got herself dressed into her bathing suit - note that she is wearing two bottoms from two different suits

4th of July camping

Mulu in ready to go in a canoe.

Mulu & extended cousins fishing off the pier - he was much more into it than we expected.

Aaliyah & Daddy

family photo (and no, Brian isn't getting attacked by a rogue plant - its just a bad angle)

Big steps for little kiddos

We've had an exciting couple of weeks with some "big" moments for Mulu & Aaliyah.

We'll start with Mulu's "graduation" from preschool - he was very proud during their little performance and woke up the next morning all ready to go to his new school (Kindergarten)



















and in preparation for Johnson baby #3 (I'm pregnant and due September 9th) and b/c she got inside information (from our little neighbor girl) as to how to climb in & out of her crib, Aaliyah is now sleeping in her "big girl bed"




The kids reading books in Aaliyah's new bed (usually done on Mulu's bed)














and when Aaliyah was telling her Grandma about sleeping in her "big girl bed" Grandma said something about being a good girl & Aaliyah said "no - Aaliyah not a good girl - Aaliyah gets out and out and out and out again" - at least she's honest.







My favorite picture of Aaliyah in her crib - just to be a bit sentimental.







also...we took the training wheels off of Mulu's bike. He is very excited about it, and still needing assistance - but loves practicing and telling people about it.


















and Aaliyah on her bike with one of her favorite neighbor girls.